Warnings over risk of fake tickets for Rizzle Kicks and Paloma Faith after Mumford & Sons fiasco in Portsmouth

HAMPSHIRE music fans are being warned that more concerts could be at risk of a fake ticket scam that saw hundreds turned away from a gig last week.

Portsmouth Guildhall fear that future sold out concerts for Rizzle Kicks and Paloma Faith could once again see fans left outside devastated clutching fake tickets bought online.

The warning comes after 240 concert goers, who had bought their tickets from various secondary ticketing websites, were turned away from last Thursday's Mumford and Sons gig.

Some of those refused entry had reportedly paid up to £280 for their tickets.

The Portsmouth Cultural Trust, which took over the management of the Guildhall in April last year, has confirmed that this is the first time their venue has been a target of ticket fraud but fear future concerts may be at risk.

They have notified police of the incident and they are taking measures to limit any disruption and upset at the Rizzle Kicks gig on December 5 and Paloma Faith in February.

A spokesperson said: “Sadly, tickets have been created copying the design of our old ticket stock which we recently discontinued.

“All customers who are currently in possession of tickets for future shows which were from the old Guildhall ticket stock are requested to pop in to the Guildhall in order to swap them for tickets from our new ticket stock.

“Patrons can also get in touch with the box office to verify the current authenticity of their tickets and to arrange to swap their tickets before the concert they are due to attend.

“Customers who had bought tickets from secondary ticketing websites would need to obtain a receipt or proof from the vendor proving that tickets had been bought from the venue or trusted ticket agents such as Ticketmaster or See Tickets.”

Victims are advised to claim their money back from the websites the tickets were purchased from if they are proven to be fake.